Heart Health Quiz

Test your knowledge of heart health! Try the questions below and see the correct answers for heart-smart information.

Which of these is not considered a heart attack warning sign?
A: Cold sweats
B: Nausea
C: Ice cream cravings
D: Lightheadedness

See the answer

C: Ice cream cravings.

TRUE OR FALSE? Physical activity can counteract the harmful effects of other risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

See the answer

TRUE. Studies show that being physically fit lowers heart disease risk even in people who have other health problems, such as high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. However, you can't just exercise a lot and ignore risk factors. To minimize risk, you should be physically active and avoid the other major risk factors that you can do something about: cigarette smoke, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and overweight.

How much physical activity is enough?
A: 20 minutes every day
B: 90 minutes a day once you are in shape
C: 150 minutes per week
D: It depends on the size of your heart

See the answer

B: 150 minutes per week. It's best to try and spread that time out for 30 minutes or more a day at least five days a week. People who have moderate levels of fitness are much less likely to die early than those who have a low fitness level. In addition to helping you lose excess weight, physical activity helps manage stress, enhances self-image and improves your sleep habits. If you're inactive, doing anything is better than nothing. START TODAY!

TRUE OR FALSE? If it increases your heart rate too fast, exercise can be dangerous.

See the answer

FALSE. The purpose of physical activity is to increase your heart rate. The potential health benefits of moderate-intensity exercise greatly outweigh the risks of adverse events for almost everyone, although there is a very slight increased risk of death due to heart attack during vigorous exercise. Consult your health care provider first if you have any concerns, have been sedentary, are overweight, are middle-aged or older or have a medical condition.

TRUE OR FALSE? Women get the same benefits from being physically active as men.

See the answer

FALSE. Studies indicate that women may benefit even more than men from being physically fit. Evidence suggests that physically fit women have lower rates of death from heart disease than physically fit men. Women who don't exercise have twice the chance of dying from heart disease as women who do. Women may live longer than men, but they don't necessarily live better. Elderly women who haven't been physically active experience more disability in their daily lives than women who have been active.

Which of the following is the most desirable blood pressure reading?
A: 130/90
B: 180/110
C: 140/80
D: Lower than 120/80

See the answer

D: Lower than 120/80. The American Heart Association recommends this as optimal.

120-139/80-89 is considered pre-hypertension.

Systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher, or diastolic pressure of 90 or higher, is considered high and should be evaluated by a physician immediately.

If your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, you are at high risk for stroke, heart attack and other complications from high blood pressure.

Your health is your responsibility, so make sure you know your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, optimum weight) and take control to manage your risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Which of the following is more likely to contribute to your high blood pressure?

See the answer

B: Salt/sodium intake. Some people are "salt sensitive," so eating a lot of salt adds to their high blood pressure. Salt holds excess fluid in your body and puts an added burden on your heart. Recent evidence suggests that salt sensitivity can also be a very important determinant of future high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk. Researchers have also found that having a particular gene may make African Americans much more salt sensitive, thus increasing the risk of developing high blood pressure.
As little as one extra gram of salt (1/2 tsp) could raise blood pressure as much as a 5mm Hg in people who have this gene.

Which of the following may be dangerous for people with high blood pressure?
A: Physical activity
B: Eggs
C: Cold and flu medicines
D: Microwaves

See the answer

C: Cold and flu medicines. People with high blood pressure should be aware of the possible danger of taking certain cold, cough and flu medications. Decongestants have been reported to increase blood pressure and may interfere with blood pressure medications. If you are one of the 73 million adults who has high blood pressure, make sure to choose cold and flu medications that don't contain decongestants.

TRUE OR FALSE? If I fall and need to make an appointment with a bone and joint specialist quickly, I can call the Women's Health Network to help me with this.

See the answer

TRUE. The Women's Health Network has a nurse who specializes in women's health who is available to get you in to see exactly the right specialist.

The Women's Health Network Nurse can answer questions about...
A: Which doctors have available appointments.
B: Women's health questions.
C: What Women's Health Network events are scheduled.
D: All of the above

See the answer

D: All of the above. The Women's Health Network Nurse is a skilled nurse who is available to:

help answer your health-related questions

guide and direct you to providers best able to meet your needs the fastest

know which doctors have access

The Women's Health Network includes which of the following services?
A: Wellness services
B: Women's bone and joint services
C: OB/GYN and maternity
D: Urology
E: All of the above

See the answer

E: All of the above. The Women's Health Network includes services for young, teenage women; childbearing aged women; and women in their senior years.